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- My husband and I met years ago at grad school in Belgium.
- He returned to the US later with me, but we decided last year to move back to Europe.
- Our costs, including housing and food, as well as healthcare and childcare, have been greatly reduced.
My first experience in Belgium was 2006, when I moved to Belgium to complete my graduate studies. Active duty military service. What I imagined would be an 18 month school stint turned out to be a six year adventure in Europe. Five years in Brussels, one in Stuttgart, Germany, was my first experience.
While I was living in Brussels, my husband met me. He was born in Rotterdam and raised there. He followed me when I went to the United States as a Civil Service for the Marine Corps at The Pentagon. He also served as a Marine Corps Reserve Officer.
But I Retired from Marine Corps ReservesLast year, we made the decision to return to Europe. We settled in Brussels for many reasons, including proximity to my husband’s family and a vibrant international network.
Before I tell you why life in Brussels is cheaper, I need to mention that we do not have any expat benefits. My husband works as a salaried employee in a tech company and pays around half of the income tax. Many Belgian companies offer different incentives to offset the high tax rate. These include company cars, meals stipends, and affordable healthcare. I am a freelancer writer, content creator and digital marketing strategist. I am currently setting up a business in Belgium.
Our life here is more affordable for a few reasons.
Housing
We lived in Brookland in the US. It is a quiet residential area in Northeast Washington DC. On our attached, 1,500-square-foot rowhome, we paid nearly $3,000 per month in mortgage payments.
We found an identical apartment in Brussels. It cost us 2,000 euros, which is approximately $2,000, at the moment. The apartment is in the same area as DC’s Logan Circle. There are shops and restaurants nearby and public transport to get to Brussels and other European institutions is easy. An identical apartment in Washington DC costs nearly $5,000 per month. We are currently trying to buy a similar-sized apartment. The mortgage costs seem similar to our current rent.
Childcare
We were very fortunate to have our daughter start kindergarten in Brussels. It saved us $2,000 per month for full-time childcare in Washington DC. The average monthly cost for aftercare in DC was around $1,000 per month.
Our daughter is educated in Dutch at a public elementary school. Aftercare costs $60 per month. We also receive an equivalent of $150 in stipends from the Belgian government, which helps with the cost associated with having a baby. Technically, childcare is completely free.
Private and public institutions offer summer camps for an average of 100-150 euros per month. My daughter was able to attend swim camp for 150 Euros per week. She also received a 20% reimbursement from her health insurance.
Healthcare
Access to affordable healthcare was another factor that influenced our decision to move to Europe. My husband has a benefits package that includes a health insurance supplement for hospitalization and dental. It costs around $55 per month for the whole family.
Consultations cost around $30 per person in general practice, but we receive 95% reimbursement almost immediately.
Tricare (military insurer) was offered to me in Washington, DC. It cost $250 per month and I received a family plan which was affordable in the United States. As a civilian I paid $425 for my family policy.
Food and Drink
Food costs in Brussels are still affordable, regardless of inflation.
I often travel to the United States and can compare prices. Fruits and vegetables are more affordable in Brussels than the United States. Seasonality is important, and because Belgium shares a border (France Germany Netherlands Luxemburg), quality products can be found within a 200-mile radius.
At the supermarket, a 10-pound bag with potatoes grown in south Belgium can be purchased for 4 euros (or about $4.50). The same bag is $10 in DC. You can find farmer’s market all around the city. The prices are generally lower than at supermarkets.
The wine is very affordable due to the ease of trade within the European Union. A fantastic bottle of wine from Italy, Spain France, Germany and elsewhere can be purchased for as low as $8.
Because of the lower prices for wine and beer, dining out is more affordable. Dinner for two at an elegant restaurant in Brussels costs $60 per head. Washington DC’s equivalent restaurant will run you almost twice as much, especially if you include a 20% tip. Belgium does not allow tipping as the service fee is included in the price of the meal. If you are treated with exceptional service, you may round up your check and give 5-10% to your server.
Transport
I don’t have a car and I don’t plan on getting one in Brussels. Within a half mile radius of my house, there are three supermarkets and two farmers’ markets. There are many restaurants, cafes, shops, and other amenities.
Our daughter walks to school (10 minutes), then I walk to the center of the city (30 minutes) or take the tram/bus. Children under 12 years old can use public transportation free of charge. I also buy my passes in bulk to reduce 25% and pay less than $2 per trip.
My husband has a company car. This is a perk that’s common for those in Belgium who are in middle/upper management, consulting and sales. The tax fee (which can be used for unlimited private miles) is $350 per month. We shared a car in Washington DC. Our monthly car payment, gas and insurance costs totaled $600.
Travel
One of the many benefits of living in Brussels, is its proximity to European destinations via rail, car or plane. Thalys is a rail system that takes you from Brussels into Paris in less than 75 minutes. They can be as low as $65 roundtrip when you book in advance.
This year, I flew from Brussels to Madrid for $80, and Oslo, Norway for $100 via Brussels Airlines. I prefer staying in boutique hotels and guesthouses owned locally, as they offer free breakfast. Prices vary depending on destination. For the same distance, domestic flights within the US can cost between $250-500 per person on a regular carrier.
How we feel about our move
Are we homesick for Washington, DC? Absolutely! Yes!
We are only a short distance from my in-laws. We save money and our daughter grows up in multilingual surroundings. We can take a train or car to Paris, London or Amsterdam if we are tired of Brussels. Brussels is the ideal place for a family that loves to travel and good food.
